Student Drop Off Procedures Via Car

Newfane Middle School 2700 Transit Road Newfane, NY 14108

Phone: (716) 778-6452 Fax: (716) 778-6460

Tom Adams Dan Bedette Principal Assistant Principal

November 2014

Thanks for everything you do to support your kids and our school. Each month, our building safety team meets to discuss concerns that need to be examined and methods to increase the safety of everyone in our building. An issue that has come up with more frequency in the last several months is that of student drop off. Specifically, the concern is over students being dropped off by the flagpole or main entrance on Transit Road. The problem really shows itself during periods of heavy traffic just prior to and after the 7:30am bell that starts our school day. For those of you that drive north or southbound on Transit Road at that time, you know that the area is congested with buses traveling from our school to the high school, as well as a large amount of students driving to the high school.

Our concern is one of safety. We do not feel that there is a safe way to drop off your student at the main entrance during this time, regardless of the direction you’re traveling. The concern is for your kids and our students, but also for those traveling in other vehicles, those walking towards the HS, and for those students who travel by bike. So, we’ve come to a decision which might inconvenience some, but hopefully create a safer environment for all.

Effective November 3 rd , students can only be dropped off during the morning arrival by using the back parking lot on Transit Road or the East Ave lot by the playground.

STUDENT DROP OFF PROCEDURES VIA CAR Regardless of entrance used, caution is an absolute must! Please don’t rush as our entrances are busy areas, and inattention or impatience on the part of one person can have disastrous consequences. There are only 2 entrances available for students: the center (main) doors on Transit Road and the bus circle doors accessed from East Avenue.

Transit Road Entrance Access the main doors by entering the back parking lot entrance from Transit. Travel around the “circle,” then drop the kids off as you reach the sidewalk that leads to the main entrance to the school. Care must be taken here though, as cars will be traveling in both directions. Dropping off students at the flagpole during the morning drop off period is now prohibited.

East Avenue/Bus Circle—preferred method See map on reverse for details. Parents/Guardians that drop off students using the entrance on East Avenue use the west driveway to enter. Cars will proceed directly to the designated drop off area, unload car, and have students cross IN FRONT of vehicle. Students will then walk on sidewalk by the Newfane Learning Center to the main bus circle entrance. Vehicles will then exit using the east driveway. If buses are also exiting, cars and buses will alternate unless bus flashers are on, in which case, cars will yield.

STUDENTS ARRIVING VIA BIKE OR WALKING General Reminders 1. Students should never walk on the road when a sidewalk is available. 2. Students should take the most direct route when crossing the street or parking lot. 3. Students need to be especially cautious if they are arriving from East Avenue and need to cross parking lot to access sidewalk. There are many cars and buses using this area, and everyone needs to be alert and aware of not only what others are doing, but themselves as well.

"Together We Can" Below is a diagram to assist in understanding the traffic flow from East Ave.

East Avenue entrance to Newfane Middle

EAST AVENUE

Student drop off area—area to be marked with a pylon

Arrows indicate direction of car traffic

Arrow indicates direction students should take following drop off

Please contact us with any questions.

Sincerely, Tom Adams Dan Bedette

Tom Adams Dan Bedette Principal Assistant Principal

"Together We Can"